Angels' bullpen collapses in 5-4 loss to White Sox

By BETH HARRIS, AP Sports Writer
| 11:28 p.m.May 16, 2013

Chicago White Sox's Alex Rios, center, is greeted by teammates after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday, May 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
— AP

Chicago White Sox's Alex Rios, center, is greeted by teammates after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday, May 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
/ AP

Los Angeles Angels' Mark Trumbo, left, and Josh Hamilton high-five after they scored on a double by Howie Kendrick during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday, May 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)— AP

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Los Angeles Angels' Mark Trumbo, left, and Josh Hamilton high-five after they scored on a double by Howie Kendrick during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday, May 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
/ AP

ANAHEIM, Calif. 
The Los Angeles Angels let another one get away, twice blowing the lead while the bullpen collapsed.

Michael Kohn issued three straight walks in the eighth inning, the last to Jeff Keppinger with the bases loaded that drove in the winning run in a 5-4 victory by the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night.

"This was a pretty big game for us, and it's indicative of how things have gone," Mark Trumbo said. "You've just got to go out there and get it done. It's games like this that you have to come away with, especially if you're trying to get some momentum going."

Keppinger's walk was his first in 141 plate appearances this season, capping a three-run rally by the White Sox that handed the Angels their second straight loss. They fell to 8-12 at home.

Dane Del La Rosa (1-1) took the loss, giving up all three runs in the eighth.

He had pitched two perfect innings with three strikeouts against the White Sox last Friday. Kohn threw 12 of his final 14 pitches out of the strike zone.

"It was just an off-night. My job is to come in and keep those guys on base. Unfortunately, I didn't do that," Kohn said.

The Angels lost for the second time this season when leading after seven innings.

"It's going to be rough if we don't develop the ability to hold leads," manager Mike Scioscia said. "We put guys in there that have been throwing the ball well for us. Dane's been doing a good job, Michael Kohn's been doing a good job, but they just couldn't get it done."

Matt Lindstrom (2-2) got the victory after facing one batter in the seventh, getting Mike Trout to fly out to right to end the inning.

Addison Reed pitched the ninth to earn his 13th save in 14 chances.

Chicago closed to 4-3 after Alejandro De Aza scored when De La Rosa threw a wild pitch on a strikeout by Alex Rios. Alexei Ramirez tied the game 4-all on a single by Adam Dunn.

All seven of the games between the two teams are taking place in a span of 10 days. The series is tied 2-2, with three more in Anaheim.

Howie Kendrick gave the Angels a 4-2 lead when he doubled to deep left-center in the sixth, scoring Trumbo, who walked, and Josh Hamilton, who singled to right. White Sox left fielder Dayan Viciedo scrambled to track the ball over his shoulder, but he misplayed it and Hamilton easily beat the throw to the plate.

Chicago tied the game at 2 in the fifth when Conor Gillaspie doubled to lead off, took second on a groundout and scored when Keppinger was safe at first on shortstop Erick Aybar's fielding error.

The Angels took a 2-1 lead in the fourth when Albert Pujols homered on the first pitch into the right field seats, scoring Trout, who was issued a leadoff walk by Jose Quintana.

Chicago led 1-0 in the fourth on a towering homer by Rios with two outs, extending his hitting streak to 11 games. The ball just cleared both bullpens in left field and landed in the first few rows of seats.

Angels starter Jerome Williams allowed two runs and five hits in six-plus innings, struck out three and walked none.

"Our bullpen is good, so it's frustrating to see us walk guys," he said. "But all we can do is pat each other on the back and support them, come back tomorrow and try to get a win."

Making his second straight start against the Angels, Quintana gave up four runs and six hits in 6 2-3 innings, struck out four and walked three.

NOTES: Two key Angels relievers took significant steps in their return from injury on Thursday. RHP Kevin Jepsen (shoulder strain, out since April 12) and LHP Sean Burnett (forearm irritation, out since April 27) both threw full-intensity bullpen workouts. Jepsen expects to begin a minor league stint of one or two games this weekend, putting him in line to return late next week. Scioscia said Burnett will probably need one minor league game before being activated, perhaps by Tuesday. ... The Angels recalled RHP Ryan Brasier from Triple-A Salt Lake and selected the contract of RHP Billy Buckner from Salt Lake, making him the 21st pitcher the team has used this season. The club optioned LHP Michael Roth to Double-A Arkansas and designated RHP Barry Enright for assignment.